Guide
5 August 2026
by Sue Leschen

Translating and interpreting in legal settings

Need a translator for your legal documents or a professional interpreter for your court hearing? Simply log on to the ITI Law, Insurance, Finance and Translation (LIFT) website and select the subject area required from the list and then the relevant language direction (for example French to English or English to French). You will then be able to search against the impressive ITI profiles and individual websites of the LIFT members who work in these areas.

How LIFT members can add value to your communications

With their sector – specific knowledge LIFT linguists will be able to ensure that your communications are accurately conveyed because they understand that precision is vital  given that errors can have serious consequences such as prison sentences, steep fines and deportation not to mention loss of reputation.  LIFT members will strive to preserve the original meaning in your document or speech  and particularly so where the stakes are high because your project is politically, financially or perhaps intellectually sensitive.

Members of the LIFT Network are generally very experienced linguists and some are even acknowledged to be experts in their respective fields with past or current first – hand experience due to careers in law, insurance and/ or finance as well as holding both UK and other countries’ qualifications. As members of ITI all undertake to uphold the principles in the ITI Code of Conduct relating to integrity, confidentiality and competence and are subject to investigation and could be referred to the ITI Professional Conduct Committee in the event of a complaint.

LIFT members are also likely to have Professional Indemnity Insurance and to work in accordance with  General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Many will also have Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificates and other higher level security vetting accreditations such as Counter Terrorist Checks (CTCs). Additionally, some LIFT members have International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) accreditations.

Of course staying up to date is essential for interpreters and translators in an increasingly fast – moving and litigious world and most LIFT members regularly attend both internal ITI and external Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses.

LIFT members are also generally familiar with source and target language issues cultural nuances and differences and will bring this knowledge to the table. Likewise, they are aware of  variations in legal systems, procedural issues and terminology – such as between the common law in England and Wales and codified law in many European countries. They will be au fait with equivalencies as well as non – equivalent legal terminology and concepts and how to do work – arounds so that the target source language makes sense and is factually and technically correct.

What sort of documents can legal translators translate for you?

All manner of legal documents including:

  • Contracts
  • Insurance and reinsurance policies
  • Loan agreements  
  • Compliance materials
  • Certificates
  • Reports
What sort of legal appointments can LIFT interpreters assist you in remotely and in person?

All manner of appointments including:

  • Appointments with lawyers
  • Court and Tribunal hearings
  • International Arbitration disputes
  • Meetings of companies and NGO’s
Why not use AI instead of human interpreters and translators?

Granted it may be cheaper but why take the risk? UK judges are already monitoring and criticising it’s use in legal documents. Hallucinations (particularly as regards non – existent case law) are already making headlines in the legal press. Likewise bias and lack of objectivity are also current concerns where AI is used. If you feel that you have to use AI (perhaps due to financial constraints), at the very least pay a LIFT member to check any AI generated text before you submit it to a third party. AI has its place (for example it may be useful for simple and repetitive administrative tasks) but currently it is nowhere near good enough to replicate the human touch in legal, insurance and financial fields.  

What are the risks of not using a LIFT Network linguist?

Trying to save money by using an unqualified and unregulated (and probably uninsured) translator or interpreter may end up costing you more money in the long run not to mention cause you embarrassing reputational damage. The LIFT Network guarantees you a quality service and peace of mind because all of its members are true professionals who are committed to maintaining standards. Your document or spoken words are important to you so don’t take any risks – its really not worth it is it?

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